The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, February 19, that U.S. health regulators are considering approving a possible second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine starting in the fall (September).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been analyzing data in order to approve a second booster dosage of messenger RNA vaccines from Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and partner BioNTech SE (22UAy.DE) as well as vaccines from Moderna Inc (MRNA.O), said the report. 

The FDA did not immediately answer a request for comment. 

According to the report, the planning is still in the early stages. Also, the approval would be based on decisions about whether the second booster should be allowed for all adults or specific age groups and whether it should target the Omicron variant or be formulated differently.

The WSJ added that no decision was final, and if a new variety appeared, booster doses might have to be made accessible sooner. 

In another report by reuters.com, the FDA last month shortened the time between receiving a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccinations from Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna, in order to provide stronger protection against the Omicron version sooner.

“Vaccination is our best defense against COVID-19, including the circulating variants, and shortening the length of time between completion of primary series and a booster dose may help reduce waning immunity,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

On Thursday, the United States reported 662,000 new COVID-19 cases, the fourth-highest day total in the country’s history recorded. The spike in U.S. Omicron cases is surging. However, the number of COVID-19 cases has most likely not peaked yet, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday. – WhatALife!

Source: (theguardian.com), (reuters.com)

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